Warde volleyball sweeps Westhill to go to 6-1

Updated 9:04 pm, Wednesday, September 28, 2016

STAMFORD — In FCIAC girls volleyball, it is difficult to break into the upper echelon.

Traditionally, in the league penthouse, Darien, Ridgefield, Greenwich and Ludlowe have taken up residence.

The Warde Mustangs are making a case for admission.

The Mustangs improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the FCIAC Wednesday night by defeating Westhill, 25-16, 27-25, 25-21 on the road at the Vikings’ J. Walter Kennedy Athletic complex.

“We played well today. We’re always striving to improve and be better,” said Warde senior co-captain Nicole Vaccarella. “The confidence of all the players keeps climbing. And we leave it all on the court.”

What Warde did best Wednesday was play the big points well and serve well throughout the tight contest.

What the Mustangs had that Westhill didn’t was a 6-foot-3 senior hitter and blocker in Vaccarella (21 kills, 4 blocks), who will be playing college volleyball at Lehigh University.

“I’ve been so lucky to have Nicole in this program the last three seasons. She’s our most vested player,” Warde coach Matt Narwold said. “Her best attributes are she respects everybody on the court and wants everybody on our team to succeed as much as she does.”

The Mustangs have just two seniors in Vaccarella and Jenna Cetta, also a captain. Of Warde’s six juniors, four are returnees from last year when the Mustangs reached the second round of the Class LL Tournament.

“I have to be a leader,” Vaccarella said. “I have to be the one that everybody can count on. I want to bring the younger players along.”

In Game 1, Warde led 12-8 and 16-12 before using a 5-0 run with setter Claire Sullivan serving for 21-12. Warde eventually won 25-16.

In Game 2, Westhill led 9-6 and 14-10 before Warde rallied for a 17-15 edge. It was 25-25 when Warde broke through for the game-winning points and 27-25 triumph.

In Game 3, Westhill led 11-9 before Warde fashioned an 8-0 surge with Libby McKenna serving for 17-11. Westhill (2-7, 1-5) fought back to 21-19 but Warde completed the sweep at 25-21.

“I’m so proud of the 100 percent effort all our girls gave,” Westhill coach Mariana Capomolla said. “Warde is such a good team. Nicole Vaccarella plays so smart and so strong. We did our best.”

Now the challenge lies ahead for Warde. Of their 13 regular-season games remaining, the Mustangs will play Ridgefield and currently unbeaten McMahon at home while facing Darien, Greenwich and crosstown rival Ludlowe on the road.

“We have a lot of areas where we’re strong. But we still have issues we need to improve,” Narwold said. “If we fix those things, we can be a factor in the league and the state playoffs.”